Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Recess detention for drawing

Today my DS got recess detention for drawing on his whiteboard during a money lesson. I asked him why he wasn't paying attention to the teacher and he said that he thought the lesson was kind of easy and he was bored.

I did reinforce with him that he needs to follow the rule (no drawing on the math whiteboards) and pay attention to the teacher...but I'm starting to worry...

Does it seem a little draconian to make a kid stand on a red X on the playground during recess just for drawing during a math lesson that he already understands?

That's terrible! Reminds me of standing in a corner with a dunce hat. Your poor little guy. How does the school justify this?

That's so sad If he wasn't bothering the rest of the class why did she punish him?

It sounds mean, unhelpful, and humiliating/an invitation to be teased by the other kids. I'd write to the teacher and/or principal about it (but that's just me). What's the justification?

Is this his first offense? If so, what happens on a second or third offense?

Val

The RED X is the all-purpose punishment here at this school. I'm a little confused by the whole thing, though, because at back-to-school night last week the teachers explained the discipline policy and they said that kids would receive a verbal warning, if the behavior continues, they turn the child's card to yellow, and if the behavior continues, then the child gets a red x. Two red x's in one day=phone call to parents and behavior ticket. Beyond that, the card is turned to purple and the child is sent to the principal's office.

The teachers said they reserve the right to skip some of these steps for serious offenses. She skipped two steps for drawing!

I asked her if this was the first issue she had seen with him thinking that maybe his card was already on yellow for something else, but she said, no, there was nothing else.

So, following that logic, what happens if there's a fight at recess? Do they do a nickel in Pelican Bay?*

Oy. My mom used to get really annoyed about stuff like this (Hmm. I've just given away some information about myself...).


Feeling your pain,

Val


* Translation for non-native English speakers: this means "spend five years at a notorious prison in northern CA."

Probably. Or time on The Rock.

Vee veel haf deeseepleen or der veel bee konzeqweencees!!

LOL!!

Red X's??

That sounds like Hollywood Squares!!!

Yeah, in January, outside, with no supplies except a plastic garbage bag, an empty Coke bottle, and a bent dime.

That'll learn 'em.

Val